by Harley Wylde
Once I knew my stomach was settled, we went back to the kitchen. I pulled down a box of crackers from the cabinet and nibbled on them while I sipped some water. I wondered if Dragon had told Lilian about what had happened in high school, did that mean Badger had told Adalia? Or would he have kept it to himself, not wanting to stress her out while she was pregnant?
I didn’t like leaving the house because I saw the way the club eyed me. Like I was something broken they needed to fix, and at the same time they didn’t know how to act around me. Most avoided me. I’d known they wouldn’t see me the same way. It was only a part of why I hadn’t wanted Slash to tell them. The other… well, honestly, I was hurt they’d been willing to accept my behavior as a way to lash out after the rape, but if it had just been surging hormones, or me being a bitch they wouldn’t have forgiven me? It made me feel like shit, and like I hadn’t been good enough to be part of their family until they realized I’d been hurt.
“Shella, what’s wrong?” Lilian asked, reaching for my hand. “You got quiet and have this look on your face.”
“I don’t belong here,” I said. “I shouldn’t have listened to Slash. He wanted me to come home, but… this place isn’t home. A home is where you’re accepted, where you go when you’ve hit your lowest point.”
“You’re accepted,” she said, squeezing my hand.
I shook my head and pulled my hand free. “I wasn’t. Not until Slash told them about the rape. After that, suddenly it was okay to forgive my behavior, to welcome me back. Until then, they wanted me gone. Especially Dragon.”
Slash hadn’t planned to tell me. In fact, he hadn’t told me. I’d overheard him talking to someone. No way he’d have ever let me find out. He’d known it would hurt me. He still didn’t know I’d listened to his conversation. It had been hard as hell to pretend I didn’t know how the club felt.
Lilian paled and chewed at her lower lip. I didn’t want to upset her. I should have just kept my mouth shut. If she went home crying, Dragon would show up and want to rip into me. Then I’d have to tell Slash I knew everything.
I stood. I didn’t know where I was going, but I needed to leave. Taking off for the front door, I stopped long enough to grab my purse and keys. I got in my car and slammed the door. My hands shook as I turned the key in the ignition and backed down the driveway. When I approached the gates, the Prospect standing guard let me through. I turned toward town and cruised through the streets with no destination in mind. The diner drew my eye like a beacon, and I pulled up in front and parked.
I stepped through the glass door and the bell overhead chimed. I’d missed this place. The red vinyl seats, the fifties-style uniforms, even the black-and-white checkered floor, all of it made me feel like I was home, more than being at the compound. I’d spent a lot of time here before I’d left.
I took a seat by the window and looked over the menu, smiling when I realized it hadn’t changed. Well, the diner may not have, but the staff certainly had. Then again, they got a lot of turnover here. A young girl, probably still in high school, stopped by the table, her blonde ponytail swinging behind her.
“Hi! I’m Molly and I’ll be your server today. Have you had a chance to look at the menu?”
“I have and I’ll take the loaded cheeseburger with fries and a glass of water.”
She flashed me a smile and hurried off. While I waited, I twisted the saltshaker, needing something to keep my hands occupied. It wasn’t until the conversation from the booth behind me filled my ears that I realized exactly who was in the diner with me. My entire body locked up and it felt like I couldn’t breathe.
“She’s just as hot as she was in high school,” the voice said, full of venom and that cocky arrogance only assholes seem to have. “Maybe we need a repeat.”
The other guy laughed. “Oh yeah. I’d love to have me some of that again. Won’t be as good as virgin pussy, but I bet she’s still a screamer.”
My blood turned to ice and everything around me blurred. I knew those voices. Would never forget them. JJ and Mike. Two of the Blackwood Falls High football team members a little over two years ago. And two of the boys who’d held me down and raped me. I tried to stand but I wasn’t sure my knees would hold me. I needed to leave, to get far away from this place. From them.
“Everything okay?” Molly asked, coming over with my water.
“N-no. N-n-need to… to…” I couldn’t even get my tongue to work right.
“Rick,” I heard Molly yell out. “We need you out here.”
“Think she’s still wild?” Mike asked. He didn’t even bother to keep his voice down.
“Oh, I bet she is. I think we need to find out,” JJ said.
“Fuck yeah. I’m hard just remembering that day,” Mike said.
When two large hands settled on my arms, I screamed and lashed out. I was locked in a nightmare and couldn’t break free. “No! No! You won’t hurt me again!”
I heard two men laughing and just knew it was JJ and Mike. Everything slowly came into focus, and I gulped in a lungful of air. My gaze settled on a man with a concerned look in his eyes, and I noticed his name tag. Rick -- Manager.
“You all right?” he asked.
I gave a quick nod, then shook my head. No, I was far from all right. With those two so close to me, I wasn’t sure I’d ever be all right. If they were still here, roaming free, what would stop them from hurting me again? It sounded like they were already making plans.
I heard the heavy tread of boots and yanked my head in that direction, relaxing a little when I saw Steel. He reached for me, tugging me against his chest.
“You all right, Shella?” he asked.
“I-I…”
“She was fine before. Then I brought her water and it was like she was in a trance or something,” Molly said. “She freaked out when Rick tried to help her.”
“He touched me,” I murmured. “His hands… I thought…”
Rick backed up. “Whoa. I didn’t touch her in any way that would be considered inappropriate. I only grabbed her arms because it looked like she might pass out.”
“I’ve got her,” Steel said. “Can you get her order to go and put it with mine? I’ll see she gets home safe.”
Rick nodded and hurried off. Molly stood nearby wringing her hands.
“Shella, can you tell me what happened?” Steel asked, his voice low.
I glanced over my shoulder to where Mike and JJ sat. They had the audacity to sneer at me. They knew exactly why I’d freaked out, and they were getting off on it. My stomach churned and I held onto Steel a little tighter. His gaze followed mine and I felt his body tense as he stared at the two guys who’d hurt me.
“Who are they?” he asked.
I looked up at him, hoping he’d figure it out without me having to say it. Mike and JJ had gotten quiet with Steel here now. Everyone at school had known I lived with the Devil’s Fury. Even they weren’t stupid enough to fuck with the bikers. It made me wonder if they’d known back then that I wouldn’t say anything. If Lilian hadn’t been spiraling that day, I would have told someone what happened. Steel pulled out his phone and put it to his ear. “VP, need you at the diner in town. Now.”
He hung up and curved his arm around my back, holding me close. Knowing Slash was on the way made me feel a little better, until I remembered why I’d left the compound to begin with. Mike and JJ still talked to one another, too low for me to make out their words, but I could just imagine. They were plotting. Planning to get me alone again so they could hurt me some more.
I could hear the pipes on several bikes before Slash came into view with Dingo and Wolf. He came inside, heading straight for me, and tugged me from Steel’s arms.
“You all right, butterfly?” he asked.
I shook my head and buried my face in his chest, just breathing him in. I knew he would keep me safe, but I hated those two had this kind of power over me still. Instead of getting mad and lashing out at them, I’d turned into a frightened rabbit
who had wanted to hide. No, worse. I’d frozen.
I heard Steel murmuring to him, most likely telling him about JJ and Mike. Except, Steel didn’t know for sure what they’d done to me. I hadn’t said anything. Unless he’d heard them earlier. Even when Slash had asked who had hurt me before, I hadn’t given him any names. I knew he could handle them without going to jail, but it didn’t mean I wanted him to have to.
“Shell, who are they?” he asked.
“Guys from school.” He growled and tightened his hold on me. “I just want to leave. Please, Slash.”
“Find out everything you can about them,” he said to Wolf. “And I mean everything.”
He lifted me into his arms and carried me out of the diner. I looked over his shoulder at JJ and Mike. JJ was making the motion of jerking himself off with a leer on his face. With everyone focused on Slash, I knew the Devil’s Fury hadn’t seen him. And he knew it too. If I ran into them again, and I was alone, they’d not stop with just words. Steel was on Slash’s heels and set my food on the passenger seat of my car. Slash let me slide down his body before he opened the driver’s side door.
“Go slow. I’m going to be right behind you, butterfly.” He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Straight to the house. Hear me?”
I nodded and got into the car. I drove slow, like he’d said, and pulled through the gates a few minutes later. When I stopped in front of the house, I sat in the car, not sure I could stand just yet. I was still rattled from hearing JJ and Mike. Out of all the places they’d had to eat today, why the diner? I’d known there was a good chance I’d run into people I’d known in high school and college. Didn’t prepare me for the reality of it.
My door opened and Slash reached in, shutting off the car, then helping me out. He led me inside, sat me down at the small table in the kitchen before disappearing outside again. When he came back, he set my food down in front of me and claimed the seat next to mine.
“Those two of the boys who hurt you?” he asked.
“Yeah. JJ and Mike. I hadn’t noticed them when I sat down. They started talking. About me. It brought it all back and I guess I had a panic attack or something.”
Whatever had happened to me, I didn’t want to experience it again. If I froze next time, I’d pay the price. Of that I had no doubt. Those two wouldn’t hesitate to hurt me.
“Thought you were meeting Lilian this morning,” he said.
“I did. It didn’t go so well, and I felt the need to escape. The diner brought back good memories. Until…” I bit my lip.
“We’ll get what we can on them, and I promise I’ll handle it. They won’t hurt you again, Shell. I won’t let them.” He ran his fingers through my hair. “What happened with Lilian?”
“She knows I’m pregnant. I got sick while she was here, but I hate keeping secrets from her. I had to lie so she wouldn’t go tell everyone. There’s still no guarantee she won’t say something to Dragon. What if they figure it out?” I asked.
He pressed his hand to my still flat belly. “This baby is mine, butterfly. Told you before. I don’t care if the DNA says otherwise. I’m raising this kid, and that makes him, or her, mine. Just like you’re mine.”
“I’m sorry I ran.”
“Why did you? It has to be something other than Lilian figuring out you’re pregnant.”
I sighed and dropped my head to the table, pressing my forehead against the cool surface. “They know. They all know what happened that day, and they don’t know how to react around me. I heard you. I know you told them, and the only reason they accepted me was because they feel guilty. They didn’t want me here, Talon. They hated me.”
He gently lifted my head and leaned in, kissing me. The taste of him made me feel warm inside and I moved closer to him. Even as hurt as I’d been, knowing the club didn’t truly want me here, I wasn’t sure I could walk away from Slash. He was my everything. I hadn’t told him how I felt, and I wasn’t sure when or if I ever would. He already had too much power over me.
“My beautiful butterfly,” he murmured before kissing me some more. “You’re precious to me, Shell. Don’t ever fucking leave. If you do, I’ll come for you. You belong here, with me, in my house. My bed. Lying in my arms every night. Nothing will stop me from tracking you to the ends of the earth, not even a fucking bullet.”
“It makes you sound like a stalker,” I said.
He cocked his head, somehow managing to look both sexy and arrogant at the same time. “You’re the only one I want to stalk, butterfly. I found you, didn’t I? Even when you were hiding.”
“Yeah, you found me. No one else even bothered looking.”
He cupped my cheek. “Not true, butterfly. Griz asked Outlaw to find you, but you disappeared. We kept track of you for a bit. Until we couldn’t. The few phone calls you made to Griz gave him hope you’d come home someday. Then I saw you on that fucking webcam show and tracked you to the Hades Abyss in Mississippi. I still owe Titan a right hook for letting you do that shit.”
“He didn’t. The second he knew who I was he fired me. Told the woman running the business to send me packing. So I left.”
“And became a stripper. I think that was a unilateral move,” he said. “Nothing wrong with stripping, or being a webcam girl. I’m sure both jobs are very lucrative. Just don’t try it again. Now that you’re mine, no one is allowed to see you naked except me. Otherwise, the bodies will start piling up around here.”
“You saying you’ll kill any guy who sees me naked?”
“That’s what I’m saying, butterfly, and it won’t be an easy death. I’ll make them suffer first.”
I smiled and leaned into his touch. “I think I like the bloodthirsty side of you. Possessive men might be a turnoff for a lot of women, but I guess having been around the club for a few years, I know it’s just your way. You’d never knowingly hurt me, Talon. And I know you’d protect me with your life.”
He nodded. “I would. I will.”
“My knight in black leather.”
Slash grinned. “You know it, butterfly.”
He nudged the food container closer and I opened it, lifting the burger out. I took a big bite and moaned at how fantastic it was. I hadn’t realized exactly how hungry I was until now. Devouring the burger and fries, I felt so full I wanted to pop.
“Promise me something?” I asked.
“You know I’d give you the world if I could,” Slash said.
“You already have, Talon. But I want you to promise that if you ever fall in love, if you find someone you can’t live without, you’ll tell me. I don’t want to stand between you and happiness.”
He ran his finger down my nose. “My silly butterfly. Don’t you know?”
“Know what?” I asked softly.
“That you’re the one I can’t live without.” He pressed his lips to mine. “You. Only you, butterfly. No one could ever compare.”
My heart melted and tears misted my eyes. He might not have outright said he loved me, but it was probably as close as he’d ever get to it. I didn’t know why a man like Slash would feel that way about me. He was so strong, powerful, and completely beyond my reach. Or so I’d thought. And here he was telling me I was it for him.
“I love you, Talon. I didn’t mean to, but my crush turned into more.”
He kissed me so hard and deep my toes curled, and my panties were soaked. Without a word, he lifted me and carried me to our bedroom. I already knew he was a man of few words, especially when it came to his emotions. If he never said the words, I’d be okay with that. As long as he kept showing me how he felt. It would be enough.
It had to be.
Chapter Eight
Slash
It wasn’t easy letting Wolf take point on finding out what he could about the men at the diner. The two had hurt my butterfly and I’d make them pay, but I knew there had been others. She’d said the entire team wasn’t there that day, but I wasn’t sure even she knew exactly how many of the boys had raped her. How the fu
ck she survived, much less got herself home, I didn’t know. It was a fucking miracle. I wanted them all. Every last fucker who’d been part of it, even the cheerleaders, would suffer. I’d toy with them, drag things out, and when they least expected it, I’d end their miserable lives. At least the boys. I wouldn’t kill the girls. But they might wish they were dead when I was finished with them. Right after I told them why I’d done it. I wanted them to know, to see their fear, and finally their acceptance that their lives were over.
I sat at the bar in the clubhouse, sipping a beer as I contemplated my next move. Lilian knew about the pregnancy, which meant Dragon probably knew by now. It wouldn’t take long to get through the club. I didn’t know shit about babies. Was it too soon for the baby to be considered mine? The club hadn’t wanted to welcome Shella back. I could only imagine what they’d think of her being pregnant with someone else’s kid. Especially since she wouldn’t say who the baby’s father was, assuming she knew. She’d mentioned ruining his life if he found out, so she must have some idea. Considering the timing, I had to wonder if it wasn’t one of the two men who had been in her webcam show. Then again, if she’d been hanging around the Hades Abyss compound, there was a chance she’d been to the parties, meaning it could be anyone’s kid.
It made me want to burn their entire fucking compound to the ground.
I tapped the bottle against the bar before I drained it and flagged down Beau for another. He popped the top and set it in front of me. When he didn’t move on right away, I knew he had something on his mind. I just wanted to see if he’d get the guts to spit it out. He’d been a Prospect for a while, and probably would have patched in by now, except he’d lost the club’s trust when we found out about Meiling. Dingo’s woman had lived in hell. Beau had left her, didn’t say a fucking word to any of us about a young girl in need of help, so he had to make up for it. Meiling had forgiven him, but I wasn’t sure if Dingo ever would.
